Electricity cable thieves jailed

Two electricity cable thieves, Hope Sukuma and Samaila Choji (both aged 23) have been sentenced by a Tinubu Magistrate court to jail terms of four years and one year respectively.

According to the Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Godwin Idemudia, the jail sentences were passed on the duo for stealing and receiving 72 metres of electricity armoured cable valued at N1,400,000 belonging to EKEDC.

He said the thieves committed the offence in December 2013 at Alaba Oniru and Jide Oki 500KVA distribution sub-stations in the Victoria Island area of Lagos.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Y. R. Pinehero, in her judgment found Sukuma guilty of the two- count charge of felony and stealing. He was sentenced to four years imprisonment, which will however, run for a concurrent term of two years.

Samaila Choji was found guilty of dishonestly receiving from Hope Sukuma, the stolen cable even after knowing that it was a stolen item. He was subsequently sentenced to one year imprisonment. The judgment was without options of fine.

Commenting on the judgment, the Assistant General Manager, Idemudia said it was a welcome development that would serve as a good deterrent for other perpetrators of such criminal acts of theft and vandalism of electricity equipment.

He also described the judgment as a vindication of workers of the company who were usually wrongly accused by some members of the public of being the brain behind vandalism of electricity equipment. He added that none of the two convicted persons was ever a member of staff of the utility firm.